Due to jump as Race 7 at 9:30pm (AEDT), this year’s $500,000 Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) is down to a dozen hopefuls led in betting at Ladbrokes.com.au by the three-year-old Star Turn ($4.50).

He comes off two Group 1 thirds at Flemington and is out to join Foxwedge (2012) as the only three-year-old William Reid Stakes winners since 2006.

In a tight William Reid Stakes betting affair this autumn there are a further three single-figure hopes including notable market mover Silent Sedition who has been heavily backed in from $14 to $6.

The four-year-old War Chant mare is back in distance after her second in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill a fortnight ago and for once isn’t being overlooked by the punters.

The past two William Reid Stakes winners both jumped as $12 outsiders in betting however opening up a possible upset tonight from the likes of the reigning champion Flamberge ($15) drawn the rails or even the Chris Waller-trained Japonisme ($18) looking to return to form back at Moonee Valley after encountering a mud Sydney track last time out.

1st

Black Caviar has boosted the record of mares in this race, but feel this Lindsay Park-trained daughter of Holy Roman Emperor has the class to be the next. She won the Oakleigh Plate two back, which Flamberge won on way to his William Reid victory last year, before the brave fourth in the Newmarket Handicap. This is her pet distance (9-4-2-0) and even from the wider barrier (9) she is a big danger third-up in peak form at a track she can handle. Highest Win Rate of the field (54%) and right age to win as a five-year-old.

2nd

Think there’s some outstanding value in these markets and while this Waller-trained Choisir four-year-old has been out of form for a while, returning to the Valley can spark a return to his best. Has been at this track twice before for two thirds in Group 1 company including last year’s William Reid Stakes. Is a Group 1 winner and will relish a firmer track after the Heavy (10) first-up when sixth to Le Romain in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m). Better over the 1200m (12-3-0-5) and looks an improver from the gun barrier two draw, which has produced the past two winners of this race.

3rd

Lots to like about this young favourite drawn well in gate three and coming off the two impressive thirds down the Flemington straight. Three of the past six William Reid Stakes winners came out of a top three finish in the Newmarket Handicap, and this Team Hawkes-trained three-year-old is the only one in tonight’s field that form holds for. Right in the mix again.